The City of Goleta is pleased to announce that two of our Capital Improvement Projects have recently received awards: the Hollister Class I Bike Path and the Hollister Avenue HAWK Crosswalk! Capital improvement projects improve the City’s infrastructure and range from pedestrian improvements to bridge replacements to resurfaced tennis courts. Learn more about the City’s Capital Improvement Program at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/public-works/capital-improvement-program-division.

“It’s an exciting time in Goleta as two of our capital improvement projects received well-deserved awards,” said Mayor Paula Perotte. “There is so much that goes into the projects that are done around town, it is nice to see our hard working staff recognized for their efforts. Both projects focus on safety and we encourage you to try them out if you haven’t already.”

The Hollister Class I Bike Path has been named Santa Barbara County Project of the Year by the Santa Barbara-Ventura Branch of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). Construction was completed on Goleta’s newest multi-use path in February. The 14-foot wide concrete path along Hollister Avenue from Pacific Oaks Road to Ellwood Elementary School makes travel to and from the school more accessible for students living in the area, and also serves UCSB students, recreational riders and commuters. The path promotes active and sustainable transportation for all. To learn more go to www.cityofgoleta.org/projects-programs/bicycle-projects/hollister-class-1-bikeway.

The Hollister Avenue HAWK Crosswalk Project was selected as Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) California Central Coast Chapter for transportation project under $2 million. The pedestrian-activated HAWK system installation is the first of its kind on the South Coast. The project upgraded the existing midblock crosswalk on Hollister Avenue at the Goleta Valley Community Center by installing a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) system in order to increase the safety of pedestrians crossing the street. It links the residential neighborhood to the north of Hollister Avenue with the Goleta Valley Community Center, Boys & Girls Club of Goleta, and Rainbow and Head Start pre-schools located on the south side of Hollister Avenue. For more information, visit the project page atwww.cityofgoleta.org/projects-programs/pedestrian-improvements/crosswalk-improvements-in-old-town.

7 Comments

I drive though the HAWK signal every day and agree that the flashing red lights are confusing. According to the following article, "The new system has flashing lights, striping on the street and signage. When drivers see the lights flash yellow that means they need to prepare to stop. A solid yellow and solid red will appear afterwards.
A solid red means drivers must stop behind the limit line. Once the lights flash red, that means drivers are able to safely cross the intersection" http://www.keyt.com/news/drivers-confused-over-new-goleta-crosswalk/200693412

Spending time idling in a car at a crosswalk that has been clear for 30 seconds isn't efficient. Traffic circulation could be a lot better. Traffic controls and traffic laws should be straightforward for those of us who have time and experience driving, and the pedestrian crosswalk and light fixture in Old Town Goleta isn't clearly defined.

Nothing's wrong with that, if that's what we're supposed to do. If it is what we're supposed to do, then what's the point in installing some fancy new traffic control, instead of a standard traffic light (which everyone knows how to use)? It's the unnecessary confusion that is the problem.

Totally agree with the confusion following once a pedestrian has crossed and the over head lights are still blinking red. I would think that you treat it as a stop sign with a blinking red light.
In parts of LA they add signs that say " after stopping you may go if the crosswalk is clear".
Similarly I've always thought State street would flow much better if they changed the mid block cross walks from full signals to blinking yellows (yield).

I can't stand that crosswalk, it is confusing, and traffic controls should never be confusing. I will say that the confusion actually creates more protection for the pedestrian, however, (again) traffic controls should never be confusing. If the person is done crossing, can you go? Who knows! Everyone just sits there until the lights turn off completely, no one knows what to do! Is that what we're supposed to do? It seems like a waste of time caused either by confusion, or a waste of time created by poor design. Should've put in a normal traffic light instead. Innovation should make sense, and this crosswalk does not. It is certainly an improvement over what used to be there, but could have been so much better and most importantly, intuitive.